There's certain types of pen materials that you want to keep out of an ultrasonic cleaner. Older ebonite (hard rubber) caps and barrels, and any casein parts (like the "bird splat" on the 1950s and older Montblanc, or several brands from the UK in the past.) I've had no problem with ebonite feeds, and sections, even 90 years old, if they were inside a cap still. Seems like it was heat and sun that causes the oxidation and turns them brown or green. Ultrasonic cleaner is almost mandatory for a Parker 45. The nib and feed just screws in, but the collector (like made famous by the 51) seems permanently fixed in the section, so it's either hours of soaking and working water through, or up to 5 minutes through the cleaner.😁 Good cover of what I'd consider an essential piece of equipment for most fountain pen people! Thanks for sharing this!
@@greengohm My 45 seemed to like it. 😁 Had probably years of residue in it, and was gone in 5 minutes because of the cleaner. There's other options for old ebonite and casein. 😉
So tiny bubbles work to do their job. I am thinking of the Don Ho song, "Tiny Bubbles." I hope that the folks from Pilot aren't watching because you took off the section, nib, and feed off the Custom 823. The science lesson regarding the ultrasonic cleaner is wonderful.
Hey DB! Glad to see your recent content! Got a laugh with your "auto-er_____" joke lol. Back in the 70s, I was a Radio Shack nerd. Bought a little piezo electric buzzer that makes a tiny whistle like sound when you applied a battery to it. Lol.
Oooh. I've already got an ultrasonic for cleaning tools, 3D prints, and carburetors out of lawn equipment. Nice to know that I can also use it in my fountain pen habit! Especially since I like demonstrators.
Nice explanation! Also how medical diagnostic ultrasound works. I think that’s the only time I’ve heard anyone discussing PZE crystals and sound wave propagation/frequency outside of my work. (From a sonographer & sonography instructor.) :)
Hi. Your newest UK subscriber again. Let me start by saying that if this comment sounds like I am complaining, or blaming you, that couldn’t be further from the truth, as will become clear if you read all the way to the end. I have come back to fountain pen use after some time using ‘lesser’ writing implements, and many of my pens were left inked up and hence are in need of cleaning. Today, among the pens I have put in my wife’s ultrasonic cleaner (first time I’ve used it for pens, and like the one mentioned by another commenter it has a heater built in) is my Pelikan Souverain M200 demonstrator. Unfortunately it looks like the ultrasonic cleaner has taken some of the gold plating off the nib. The reason I am not blaming you (but would appreciate if you have any technical insight) is that I don’t think this could have happened unless the plating was either substandard or already damaged by past misuse (either mine or the person I bought the pen from). Have you ever had this happen to you? Am I right in my theory? Another part of the reason I’m not that bothered is that one of the web pen shops here in the UK that I buy from will custom grind nibs, either bought new from them or posted to them, and I was planning to replace some of my Pelikan nibs (I have something like eight Pelikans with different body patterns, mostly Souverain M200/M205, plus a vintage M481 and what I seem to recall is a Souverain M800) with their medium cursive italic nibs, so it looks like the demonstrator will be first in the queue.
Oh thats interesting. I've never experienced that before but if the plating is wearing thin, didn't have very good adhesion, or has tiny pits the ultrasonic would go after that so I could see it happening
looking at the link from Israel, Amazon said it was out of stock already a day ago. your bump must have worked :) Ad for putting things in shot glasses, I think a deeper bath is needed. I think I would instead throw nibs and feeds into little ink sample vials. I hope the material is not too soft and the waves make it inside.
I have found with pens to put them in the ultrasonic cleaner first to be able to remove the nib and feed as they set in as if glued. The dried ink is just like a glue and utra soniccleaning shifts the ink so the nib and feed can be taken out of the section. I have two ultrasonics. One starts at 3 mins and then press the button to make it 5 mins and can press more as the time counts down, and a smaller one where it goes straight into 5 mins. The smaller one I can unplug the mains lead so I can gake the unit to the sink to empty it without having the power cable swinging about.
I have an ultrasonic cleaner, which is useful for cleaning all kinds of things, including my pens. It is a model which also has heating, and for many things, especially pens and anything with glue or similar holding it together, it is important to NOT use heating, as it can dissolve glue, damage ebonite bodies and feeds, shorten the life of o-rings, and generally cause grief and trouble. This is "The Voice of Experience" speaking!
WHAT!!! Thats crazy! We used a "Flock of Birds" sensor on a laser body scanner years ago and that thing was a pain! How heavy were the cameras? How reliable was the system?
my ultrsonic cleaner is not large enough to hold a fountain pen but I use it for the nibs, feeds, caps, and converters. I will try using it for my piston fillers with the water inside tip/ Thanks!
Yeah the nib & fit are a pretty snug fit. To get everything last bit of ink out, you usually need to take it apart. But I typically only do if it's a super stubborn ink or I'll be leaving the pen un-inked for some time
Thanks for the Video and the discount code. Currently on Amazon its already 20% off as you stated plus another 5% off with your code. Its better than lugging around my all Metal 2 liter ultrasonic cleaner. Had to order one. Do you have any concerns when ultrasonic cleaning celluloid pens.
I've heard some say yay and some say nay for celluloid pens. I only have 2 celluloid pens, both pretty expensive, so don't feel like making a potential sacrifice right now. Maybe I'll look for a sample piece or a garbage pen to test out. Edit: Talked to a pen restoration guy: Celluloid is ok, but Casein no go & avoid ebonite. It will hasten the reaction between the sun and the ebonite which results in discoloration.
The only thing holding it up is the data collection. After playing with the process and samples I have a decent method. However I need to cdo measurements like 10X per ink, collect/sort/plot the data etc. So need many hours of data collection then have to make a video all about it. Hopefully at some point I can get to it
Howdy DB! I’m watching this from the future. I just got a 15W Ultrasonic cleaner and it didn’t didn’t do diddly for my pen cleaning or my wedding ring. Have you recognized a minimum wattage to be necessary for a good pen cleaning that we should be aware of when buying these puppies?
@@Doodlebud I’ve heard the Fourth Greatest Canadian (after you, Professor Lord Douglas of Rathbunia, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Canada), Linus “Tech Tips” use it quite often, sir. It’s rather nice!
What else can we get you to take apart?? So no celluloid in the ultrasonic cleaner, but what about ebonite pens? I think ebonite feeds are okay, but not sure about an ebonite pen body. Is the piezoelectric crystal actually a specific crystal or the name of that specific apparatus, because the crystal looks like a a simple quartz crystal? I think I want one. I am very anal when it comes to cleaning out my pens. I might use it every time I clean out a pen. Good stuff!
Piezoelectric crystals are ones arranged in a certain way that they exhibit these particular properties. There are many different types, and a quartz crystal is a common one most are familiar with. A voltage is applied & you get a very specific & steady frequency which is used for keeping time
@@Doodlebud So the crystal is different or it's quartz arranged in a specific way? No wait that doesn't make sense, because then it would be a different. Shows you my chemistry background. I always was more partial to biology. Anyways fascinating stuff, and if they did more stuff like this in school who knows. I know about the quartz in a watch battery. Is there another crystal that could discharge a higher frequency so you can get a smoother second hand, like with a mechanical watch?
@@ironmic9244 Here are two vids that may help you see how that works in a watch, and are interesting on their own as watch interest vids: th-cam.com/video/_2By2ane2I4/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/_Pl-CewTAl8/w-d-xo.html -- Also, for what you specifically stated, look at the 'Spring Drive' watch with a smooth second hand. (Or, if you want to go down a rabbit hole, spending the better part of an afternoon on YT, do a YT search for 'quartz watch'.)
It's a pretty deep topic to go into in the comments. But different materials will behave a bit differently and depending on the application you'd choose one crystal over another. Give google and TH-cam a look to learn a bit more if you're interested. I have a project I'm advising someone on and a Piezoelectric device initially seemed like it would work perfectly. But after further analysis turns out its not the best method to measure what we're looking for. So handy being able to google a few specific questions and get the info you need to answer a few questions. Able to put the pieces of a puzzle together so much quicker. Sure beats having to hit up a library or find the right textbook somewhere!
Save your money! I found my late mom’s fountain pen, but it was clogged with dried ink from not being used. I cut in half a water bottle and poured White vinegar into the bottom portion. I then let it set for a day and then rinsed it off and filled it with ink. No PROB!!!
There's certain types of pen materials that you want to keep out of an ultrasonic cleaner. Older ebonite (hard rubber) caps and barrels, and any casein parts (like the "bird splat" on the 1950s and older Montblanc, or several brands from the UK in the past.)
I've had no problem with ebonite feeds, and sections, even 90 years old, if they were inside a cap still. Seems like it was heat and sun that causes the oxidation and turns them brown or green.
Ultrasonic cleaner is almost mandatory for a Parker 45. The nib and feed just screws in, but the collector (like made famous by the 51) seems permanently fixed in the section, so it's either hours of soaking and working water through, or up to 5 minutes through the cleaner.😁
Good cover of what I'd consider an essential piece of equipment for most fountain pen people! Thanks for sharing this!
@@greengohm My 45 seemed to like it. 😁 Had probably years of residue in it, and was gone in 5 minutes because of the cleaner.
There's other options for old ebonite and casein. 😉
They are super hand for sure, especially with freeing up stubborn old parts that just wont budge.
So tiny bubbles work to do their job. I am thinking of the Don Ho song, "Tiny Bubbles." I hope that the folks from Pilot aren't watching because you took off the section, nib, and feed off the Custom 823. The science lesson regarding the ultrasonic cleaner is wonderful.
I took the pen fully apart of the my Pilot 823 VS Wingsung 699 comparison. I'm not worried
Hey DB! Glad to see your recent content!
Got a laugh with your "auto-er_____" joke lol. Back in the 70s, I was a Radio Shack nerd. Bought a little piezo electric buzzer that makes a tiny whistle like sound when you applied a battery to it. Lol.
Had to warn people about the bag in case they get a crazy idea
Oooh. I've already got an ultrasonic for cleaning tools, 3D prints, and carburetors out of lawn equipment.
Nice to know that I can also use it in my fountain pen habit! Especially since I like demonstrators.
Nice explanation! Also how medical diagnostic ultrasound works. I think that’s the only time I’ve heard anyone discussing PZE crystals and sound wave propagation/frequency outside of my work. (From a sonographer & sonography instructor.) :)
Glad you enjoyed it. I always find it fascinating how we discover different properties of materials over time
I knew vaguely how this worked, but I still learned something. That's what I like about your videos, DB.
Glad you got something out of my vid 👍
Hi. Your newest UK subscriber again. Let me start by saying that if this comment sounds like I am complaining, or blaming you, that couldn’t be further from the truth, as will become clear if you read all the way to the end. I have come back to fountain pen use after some time using ‘lesser’ writing implements, and many of my pens were left inked up and hence are in need of cleaning. Today, among the pens I have put in my wife’s ultrasonic cleaner (first time I’ve used it for pens, and like the one mentioned by another commenter it has a heater built in) is my Pelikan Souverain M200 demonstrator. Unfortunately it looks like the ultrasonic cleaner has taken some of the gold plating off the nib. The reason I am not blaming you (but would appreciate if you have any technical insight) is that I don’t think this could have happened unless the plating was either substandard or already damaged by past misuse (either mine or the person I bought the pen from). Have you ever had this happen to you? Am I right in my theory? Another part of the reason I’m not that bothered is that one of the web pen shops here in the UK that I buy from will custom grind nibs, either bought new from them or posted to them, and I was planning to replace some of my Pelikan nibs (I have something like eight Pelikans with different body patterns, mostly Souverain M200/M205, plus a vintage M481 and what I seem to recall is a Souverain M800) with their medium cursive italic nibs, so it looks like the demonstrator will be first in the queue.
Oh thats interesting. I've never experienced that before but if the plating is wearing thin, didn't have very good adhesion, or has tiny pits the ultrasonic would go after that so I could see it happening
I got ya a little one from Amazon early into our FP journey. Super helpful. Helped us with more than just our FP too
They're so handy to have around & very reasonably priced
Cool machine, and affordable too. Im gonna check it out!
Handy dandy!
I have that same ultrasonic! Well done DB
Oh nice! Hope it's been working well
looking at the link from Israel, Amazon said it was out of stock already a day ago. your bump must have worked :)
Ad for putting things in shot glasses, I think a deeper bath is needed. I think I would instead throw nibs and feeds into little ink sample vials. I hope the material is not too soft and the waves make it inside.
I have found with pens to put them in the ultrasonic cleaner first to be able to remove the nib and feed as they set in as if glued. The dried ink is just like a glue and utra soniccleaning shifts the ink so the nib and feed can be taken out of the section. I have two ultrasonics. One starts at 3 mins and then press the button to make it 5 mins and can press more as the time counts down, and a smaller one where it goes straight into 5 mins. The smaller one I can unplug the mains lead so I can gake the unit to the sink to empty it without having the power cable swinging about.
Yup, for pens that are really stuck together these cleaners are great to help free up the parts.
I have an ultrasonic cleaner, which is useful for cleaning all kinds of things, including my pens. It is a model which also has heating, and for many things, especially pens and anything with glue or similar holding it together, it is important to NOT use heating, as it can dissolve glue, damage ebonite bodies and feeds, shorten the life of o-rings, and generally cause grief and trouble. This is "The Voice of Experience" speaking!
Great video. Just found your channel. Where do you purchase pan wash? It’s not in your store? Thank you, Ron
I make it, only cost a few dollars
th-cam.com/video/CpvkrqMI2u0/w-d-xo.html
In the 1970s Polaroid camera company came out with a sonar focus system. It sent out a sound and used the echo to adjust the lens focus.
WHAT!!! Thats crazy! We used a "Flock of Birds" sensor on a laser body scanner years ago and that thing was a pain! How heavy were the cameras? How reliable was the system?
my ultrsonic cleaner is not large enough to hold a fountain pen but I use it for the nibs, feeds, caps, and converters. I will try using it for my piston fillers with the water inside tip/ Thanks!
I use the other one you showed briefly. I have noticed if I disassemble a nib unit after, down to nib and feed there is often still ink in it.
Yeah the nib & fit are a pretty snug fit. To get everything last bit of ink out, you usually need to take it apart. But I typically only do if it's a super stubborn ink or I'll be leaving the pen un-inked for some time
Great tool. Might upgrade from the plastic cup I’ve been using 😁
That would be a slight upgrade 😂
@@Doodlebud but totally worth it!!
Thanks for the Video and the discount code. Currently on Amazon its already 20% off as you stated plus another 5% off with your code. Its better than lugging around my all Metal 2 liter ultrasonic cleaner. Had to order one. Do you have any concerns when ultrasonic cleaning celluloid pens.
I've heard some say yay and some say nay for celluloid pens. I only have 2 celluloid pens, both pretty expensive, so don't feel like making a potential sacrifice right now. Maybe I'll look for a sample piece or a garbage pen to test out.
Edit: Talked to a pen restoration guy: Celluloid is ok, but Casein no go & avoid ebonite. It will hasten the reaction between the sun and the ebonite which results in discoloration.
Thanks, DB! Mine will be here Monday.
(oh...can you give us any more detail on your viscosity an surface tension exploits?)
The only thing holding it up is the data collection. After playing with the process and samples I have a decent method. However I need to cdo measurements like 10X per ink, collect/sort/plot the data etc. So need many hours of data collection then have to make a video all about it. Hopefully at some point I can get to it
Howdy DB! I’m watching this from the future. I just got a 15W Ultrasonic cleaner and it didn’t didn’t do diddly for my pen cleaning or my wedding ring. Have you recognized a minimum wattage to be necessary for a good pen cleaning that we should be aware of when buying these puppies?
Nice sauna session for your pens😂
Marvellous! Love they way you keep saying "this puppy" Is that a Candianism?
I'm not sure if it's Canada wide, but it's prevalent around me anyways
@@Doodlebud I’ve heard the Fourth Greatest Canadian (after you, Professor Lord Douglas of Rathbunia, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Canada), Linus “Tech Tips” use it quite often, sir. It’s rather nice!
In that case, I'll keep up the puppy lingo 🐶
A great explanation of the principle of operation. AVE couldn't have done better! ;-)
Thanks buddy. I'm always curious to have a look under the hood
If that mechanic is a fountain pen fanatic, you could be in big trouble
Im not worried 😆
What? No 'Doodlebud' intro? I miss it.
Will be on the next one ;)
@@Doodlebud I cannot explain why I notice. I think I look forward to how differently you say the name 'Doodlebud'. I think it is a comfort thing.
I'll be sure the next vid is extra comforting ;)
I would never get the parts back together correctly😂😂
What else can we get you to take apart?? So no celluloid in the ultrasonic cleaner, but what about ebonite pens? I think ebonite feeds are okay, but not sure about an ebonite pen body.
Is the piezoelectric crystal actually a specific crystal or the name of that specific apparatus, because the crystal looks like a a simple quartz crystal?
I think I want one. I am very anal when it comes to cleaning out my pens. I might use it every time I clean out a pen. Good stuff!
Piezoelectric crystals are ones arranged in a certain way that they exhibit these particular properties. There are many different types, and a quartz crystal is a common one most are familiar with. A voltage is applied & you get a very specific & steady frequency which is used for keeping time
@@Doodlebud So the crystal is different or it's quartz arranged in a specific way? No wait that doesn't make sense, because then it would be a different. Shows you my chemistry background. I always was more partial to biology. Anyways fascinating stuff, and if they did more stuff like this in school who knows.
I know about the quartz in a watch battery. Is there another crystal that could discharge a higher frequency so you can get a smoother second hand, like with a mechanical watch?
@@ironmic9244 Here are two vids that may help you see how that works in a watch, and are interesting on their own as watch interest vids: th-cam.com/video/_2By2ane2I4/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/_Pl-CewTAl8/w-d-xo.html -- Also, for what you specifically stated, look at the 'Spring Drive' watch with a smooth second hand. (Or, if you want to go down a rabbit hole, spending the better part of an afternoon on YT, do a YT search for 'quartz watch'.)
It's a pretty deep topic to go into in the comments. But different materials will behave a bit differently and depending on the application you'd choose one crystal over another. Give google and TH-cam a look to learn a bit more if you're interested. I have a project I'm advising someone on and a Piezoelectric device initially seemed like it would work perfectly. But after further analysis turns out its not the best method to measure what we're looking for. So handy being able to google a few specific questions and get the info you need to answer a few questions. Able to put the pieces of a puzzle together so much quicker. Sure beats having to hit up a library or find the right textbook somewhere!
On this episode of BOLTR....
I can't just plug it in & turn it on..... That's no fun
It's unavailable on Amazon :\ This vid came up 9 hours ago! Oh.Well. :D
Strange, I just checked again with the same link and it's available. It is for Amazon in the US however
Save your money! I found my late mom’s fountain pen, but it was clogged with dried ink from not being used. I cut in half a water bottle and poured White vinegar into the bottom portion. I then let it set for a day and then rinsed it off and filled it with ink. No PROB!!!